Engine



Deco 22, 1942. WE ISLEY 2,305,874

ENGINE Filed Feb. 23, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR )4QZZ61 F 19/1 ATTRNEYS' Dec. 22, 1942.

w. F. ISLEY ENGINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb 23, 1942 2 4 m; a 7m 4 0 Mf 5 j M i Mia M INVENTOR H dBYZ Z 62" 77,15!

utente emu poration of Michigan Application Feb t v.

23, 1942. serial no. estate 22 Claims. (Cl. 12%) This invention relatesto internal combustion engines and particularly to engines of the typehaving rotatable valves in the head thereof. The present invention hasparticular application to an internal combustion engine of the kind inwhich the rotatable valve in the head, preferably although notnecessarily of the kind which rotates continuously in one direction, isformed with substantially all or at least the major portion of thecombustion chamber and is generally conical or frusto-conical in shape.The combustion chamber within the rotor or rotary valve has an openingat one end leading to the cylinder and a second opening preferably at aside thereof adapted to communicate during op- '15 eration with anoutlet or inlet passage, or both, as the casemay be, and the combustiblecharge within thecombustion chamber is fired preferably by sparkignition.

Engines of the foregoing type present the possibility of considerableadvantages, long recognized, as compared with conventional engines ofthe poppet valve type, such as simplification of construction, reductionin weight, and higher speed operation with consequent increase in poweroutput. Many difliculties, however, are presented in the production of asatisfactory engine of this type, one of the most serious be ing inconnection with the lubrication of the rotary valve and oil consumption.It is important that lubricating oil be supplied to the rotary valve andthat an adequate oil film be maintained between juxtaposed rubbingsurfaces of the valve and the cylinder head during operation. r

Although the importance of valve lubrication in this type of engine hasbeen recognized and considerable attention has been directed to thisphase, yet in no instance am I aware of the solution of the problem ofaccurately controlling 0 the valve lubrication so as to deliver to thevalve predetermined quantities of oil at predetermined timed intervals.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a lubricatingmeans for a rotatable valve of the above type of engine which will bemore eficient and accurate thereby improving the operation of the engineand reducing oil consumption.

Another object otthe invention is to provide 59 a positive anddependable means for delivering to the rotary valve measured quantitiesof lubrl eating oil at predetermined timed intervals.

A further object oi the invention is to provide a relatively simple andeficient means for he metering the lubricating oil and intermittentlydelivering the oil to the rotary valve in metered or predeterminedamounts whereby substantially exact control is maintained of the oilused to lubricate the valve and consequent elimination of excessive oilcomsumption is achieved.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide improvedlubricating means for the rotary valve of an engine of: the abovementioned type in which the delivery of oil to the valve is controlledby a part of the valve drive mecha-' nism and is timed so as to provide"a iilm of oil at that portion of the valve surface subject to greatestimpact pressure against the head during the operation cycle. 1

A further object of the invention is to ensure adequate lubrication ofthe rotary valve at the time of ignition and at such locality as notonly to prevent scoring but also to assist in sealing the intake andexhaust ports against gas leakage and consequent loss of power.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following descriptionand appended claims,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of thisspecification wherein like reference characters designate correspondingparts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional elevation illustrating a portion of amulti-cylinder engine embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation illustrating particularly thecylinder head and rotary valve or combustion chamber structure shown inFig. l.

Fig. 3 is a reduced section taken substantially through lines 3-3 ofFig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged exploded sectional view illustrating a portion ofthe means for driving the valve or combustion chamber rotor.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to beunderstoodthat the invention is not limited inits application to thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Alsoit is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employedherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

In the drawings there is illustrated, by way of example, one embodimentof the invention as applied to an internal combustion engine of thespark ignition type designed particularly for the power plant of anaircraft. The invention may obviously be embodied in engines for otherpurposes, such as automotive, marine and industrial engines. For mostuses the engine is of the 'multi-cylinder type, although any number ofcylinder units may be employed in any given engine. In the presentembodiment, for the purposes of simplicity, a single cylinder unit ofthe engine is illustrated, it being understood that the remainingcylinders of the engine are identical to the structure herein shown anddescribed.

Referring to Fig. l, the present engine comprises a suitable crankcasewithin which is mounted a crankshaft 2i supported in bearings accordingto conventional practice. A cylinder 22 is secured rigidly to thecrankcase and has its lower or inner end projecting thereinto. Mountedto reciprocate within the cylinder is a piston 23 adapted to beconnected in the usual manner by a connecting rod 24 to the crankshaft2i.

In the present engine the combustion chamber of the cylinder is formedprincipally within a ro tor or rotarymember 25, this member comprising afrusto-conical body arranged immediately above the piston when at thetop of its stroke and also having a cylindrical stem 25 projecting fromthe outer end of the rotor body. The rotor 25 fits within acorrespondingly shaped substantially frusto-conical cavity 21 in anupper cylinder head member 28. The cylinder head of the engine maybesaid to comprise two portions or members secured together and to theupper end of the cylinder 22. In addition to the outer member 28 thecylinder head comprises an intermediate member 29 which may herein betermed the rotor mask or shield and forming the pressure control memberfor the rotor and head and also the I throat opening from the cylinderinto the combustion chamber.

The upper or outer end of the cylinder is formed with external threadswhich are engaged by internal threads on the cylindrical skirt portionof the head member 28 as indicated at 3|. The member 29 in turn isprovided with external threads which are engaged by internal threads onthe cylindrical skirt portion of the outer cylinder head member 28, asindicated at 30. From this construction it will be seen that thecylinder head or mask member 29 may be screwed down tightly over-theouter end of the cylinder 22 until the annular shoulder 29a of themember 29 substantially abuts against or engages the upper or outer edgeof the cylinder, as shown in Fig. 1. Also it will be seen that the outercylinder head member 28 is screwed down tightly over the member 29 untilthe bottom shoulder 28a of the head 28 substantially engages or abutsagainst the upper flat ledge or face or the member 29.

The rotor mask or shield member 29 terminates centrally in a projectingannular flange 32 which forms the throat opening 83 into the combustionchamber 34 of the rotor member or rotary valve 25. The piston 23 ispreferably formed at its outer end with a tapered portion, asillustrated in Fig. 1, which projects into the throat opening 33,thereby reducing the size of the combustion space and preferablyconfining the combustion chamber substantially to the space within therotary valve 25. The piston at the top of its stroke, as shown in Fig.1, preferably has only a minimum operating clearance with the bottomcorrespondingly tapered wall oi the mask plate as.

. The present engine is illustrated as being air Furthermore, theinvention is not limited to the particular design and construction ofrotary valve, combustion chamber, cylinder and cylinder headconstruction herein illustrated for the purpose of exemplifying oneembodiment of the present invention.

The rotor 25 is driven through the medium of the stem 26 which ispositively connected to a driving gear in such manner as to permitslight relative axial and radial movement between the driving gear andthe rotor. The stem 26 of the rotor is provided with externallongitudinal splines 38 and is also provided with internal threadswithin the cylindrical bore thereof. *The rotor is driven by a gear 33having suitable gear teeth 40, this gear being formed with a dependingcylindrical hub or sleeve 4! having a sliding fit over the stem 26. Thegear 4| also has internal tooth-like splines 42 A coupling member 43fits within the annular space formed between the teeth 42 of the drivinggear 39, this coupling member having exterior teeth or splines 44fitting into the spaces between the splines 42 of the driving gear andalso having internal spline 45 fitting within the spaces formed by thesplines 38 of the stem 26. The coupling member 43 has an annular taperedsurface engageable with a correspondingly shaped tapered surface 39a ofthe gear 39. 46 is a clamping nut having external threads eugageablewith the threads of the valve stem 28 and having an outwardly projectingcir-' i cular flange 41. Interposed between this flange and the end ofthe stem 26 is a spring washer 48 having a central aperture throughwhich the clamping nut projects the washer being of a sufflcientdiameter to engage the upper face of the gear 39, as shown in Fig. 2.

The rotor body 25 is cored entirely around the combustion chamber 34 toprovide a cavity 49 which is closed at the upper end of the valve bymeans of a screw plug 50 screwed tightly into the threaded portion ofthe valve'stem 26 below the clamping nut 46. Any suitable heat transferor conducting medium, such as metallic sodium, is introduced into thecavity 43 through the hollow stem 26, and sealed therein by the screwplug 50.

Referring to Fig. 1, the gear 39, which is attached to the projectingstem of the rotor 25, is

driven through the medium of a gear ii attached to a. top horizontalshaft 52. This shaft is of the desired length to permit simultaneousdriving of the rotors of a plurality of cylinders arranged in line.Attached to the end of the shaft 52 is a gear 53 which is driven by agear 54 secured to the upper end of a tower shaft 55;

This shaft is suitably housed and has secured to nism by which. one or aplurality of rotary valves may be driven from the crank shaft.

, The frusto-conical cavity 21 in the cylinder head 28 terminates at itsupper end in a cylindrical counter-bore 59. Fixed within thiscounter-bore is a sleeve or bushing 60 which preferably has a press fittherein so as to be non-revoluble. The sleeve or hub portion 4| of gear39, therefore, rotates within the sleeve or bushing 60. The sleeve 60 atone side thereof is provided with vertically spaced radially extendingholes or ports GI and 52. The upper hole or port 6i registers with andis constantly in communication with a transverse drilled hole 63 in theupper end of the cylinder head 28. The

hole or passage 63 is in communication with a pipe or tube 64 into whichlubricating oil is constantly forced under pressure through the mediumof any suitable oil pump system. The lower holeor port 62 registers withand is constantly p in communication with the upper end of a drilledhole 65, this hole or passage extending parallel to the tapered wall ofthe valve cavity 21 and substantially the full length thereof. Leadingfrom the passage 65 to the tapered wall of the cavity 21 and, hence, tothe space between the adjacent walls of the valve 25 and the cavity 21are relatively narrow or small ducts or passages 66. These passagesarein the form of holes drilled through the wall of the cavity 21 into thehole or passage 65, and preferably all of the passages 66 (five beingshown in the present embodiment by way of example) are drilled from a.common center 61, as indicated by the dot and be understood that thecircumferential length of the groove may vary and, in fact, it may ex-.tend entirely around the sleeve so as to be in constant communicationwith port 6!. At a given point in the annular groove or channel 58 thereis provided a short communicating grooveor passage 69which extendsdownwardly from the channel 68 and in a direction parallel to the axisof rotation of the gear 39. This short notch or groove 69 is adapted toregister at each revolution of the gear 39 and hence at each revolutionof therotor 25, with the port 62 leading into the communicating oilpassage 65. Thus,

it will be seen that at each revolution of the driving gear 39 and ofthe rotor 25 the oil inlet passage 63 will be placed in directcommunication with the oil distributing passage 65' through the mediumof oil ports 6! and 62 and oil passage 69 which bridges the spacebetween these ports.

- At longer intervals,-however, during the revolution of the ,drivinggear and valve the oil inlet passage 63 will be in communication throughport (it with oil distributing channel 68 which in turn provideslubrication for the hub of the gear 39 rotating Within the bushing 60.

every revolution of the valve. The amount of this oil so supplied to thevalve is predetermined and can be varied by varying the width of thebridging passage 69. Since conduit 63 is constantly under oil pressureit will be apparent that the amount of oil forced through passages 65to'the valve will be governed by the time interval that the ports 6| and52 are bridged or connected by the passage 69. Hence, the speed ofrotation of the gear 39 and the width of passage- 69 are the controllingfactors.

It will be noted also that distributing passage 65- and ducts 66 arelocated in the head 28 oppo- Cit site the spark plug location H. At thetime of firing the charge in the combustion chamber 34 the explosionpressure tends to shift" the valve laterally toward the opposite wall ofthe cavity 2'! and also outwardly. Due to this shifting of .the valveunder the force of the explosion it is desirable that an adequate oilfilm be provided at the locality of greatest pressure of the valveagainst the wall of the cylinder head. In the present engine it ispreferred that the passage 69 connect the ports GI and 62 at or just,prior to ignition so that the shift of the valve under the explosionpressure will be against a body-of oil already forced and being forcedbetween the juxtaposed surfaces of the valve and head, which oil will besqueezed out between the surfaces to produce and maintain an unbrokenoil film-which not only prevents scoring but also assists in sealingtheports 70 and 12 against gas leakage and consequent loss of power.

I claim:

1. In an internal combustion engine having a cylinder, a cylinder headand a reciprocable piston in said cylinder, a rotor supported in" saidhead for rotation and having a combustion chamber in said rotor providedwith a port opening into the cylinder, an oil passage in the head fordelivering oil to the juxtaposed surfaces of the rotor and head, an oilinlet conduit for supplying oil under pressure to said passage, andmeans controlled in timed relation to the rotation of said rotor forintermittently connecting said conduit and passage.

,2. In an internal combustion engine having a I cylinder, a cylinderhead and a reciprocable piston in said cylinder, a rotor supported insaid head forrotation and having a combustion chamber in said rotorprovided with a port opening into the cylinder, an oil passage in thehead for delivering oil to the juxtaposed surfaces of the rotor andhead, an oil inlet conduit for supplying oil under pressure to saidpassage, and rotatable means for connecting and disconnecting saidconduit and passage.

3. In an internal combustion engine having a cylinder, a cylinder headand a reciprocable piston in said cylinder, a rotor supported in saidhead for rotation and having a combustion chainber in said rotorprovided with a port opening into the cylinder, an oil passage in thehead for delivering oil to the juxtaposed surfaces of the rotor andhead, an oil inlet conduit for supplying and breaking communicationbetweensaid'con- From the foregoing it will be seen that I have providedan improved and efficient means for lubricating the valve 25 in whichsubstantially metered or measured amounts of oil are delivered to thevalve at predetermined timed intervals. In the present instance oil isdelivered under pressure through the passages 66 once during ton in saidcylinder, a rotor supported inf-said duit and'passage.

4. In an internal combustion engine having a cylinder, a cylinder headand a reciprocable pishead for rotation and having a combustion chamberin said rotor provided with 'a portbpening into the cylinder, an oilpassage in the head for delivering oil to the juxtaposed surfaces of therotor and head, an oil inlet conduit for supplying oil under pressure tosaid passages driving gear for rotating said rotor continuously in onedirection, -and means controlled by said gear for interinittently makingand breaking communication between said conduit and passage.

5. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder having areciprocable piston therein, a rotatable valve associated with thecylinder and including therein a portion of the combustion space, afixed body withinwhich said valve rotates and having a passage fordirecting oil to the bearing surface of said valve, an oil inletconduit, and rotatable means for making communication between saidconduit and passage.

.6. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder havinga'reciprocable piston therein, a rotatable valve associated with thecylinder and including therein a portion of the combus- 'tlon space, afixed body within which said valve rotates and havinga passage fordirecting oil to the bearing surface of said valve, an oil inletconduit, a gear for driving said Valve, and means controlled by saidgear for intermittently making and breaking communication between saidconduit and passage. I

'l'.' An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinderhaving areciprocable piston therein, a rotatable valve associated with thecylinder and ing surface of said valve, an oil inlet conduit,

and means controlled in timed relation to the rotation of said rotor forintermittently connecting said'conduit and passage.

' B. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder having areciprocable piston therein, a. rotatable valve associated with thecylinder and includingtherein a portion of the combustion space, a fixedbody within which said valve rotates and having a passage for directingoil to including therein a portion of the combustion space, a fixed bodywithin which said valve rotates and having a passage for directing oilto the bearthe bearing surface of said valve, an oil inlet conduit, saidconduit and passage having their ends adjacently arranged, and a memberrotatable with the valve and having a passage adapted to connect saidends at predetermined times.

' 9. An internal combustion engine comprising -a cylinder having areciprocable piston therein, a

a rotatable valve associated with the cylinder and including therein aportionoi the combustion space, a fixed body within which said valverotates and having a passage for directing oil to the bearing surface ofsaid valve, an oil inlet passage, a rotary member having a portionintermittently sage, and a rotary member having an annular channel inperiodic communication with one of said passages and also having achannel transverse to said annular channel adapted to communicateintermittently with both passages.

12. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder having areciprocable piston therein, a rotatable valve associated with thecylinder and including therein a portion of the combustion space, afixed body within which said valve rotates and having a passage fordirecting oil to the bearing surface of said valve, an oil inletpassage, and a rotary gear member having an annular channeladapted tocommunicate with one of said passages andv also having a channeltransverse to said annular channel adapted to connect said passages onceduring each revolution of the gear member.

13. In an internal combustion engine having a cylinder head and arotatable cone type valve therein, a gear connected to the outer end ofthe valve, an oil conduit in said head for directing lubricating oil tothe tapered bearing surface of the valve, said conduit being normallyinterrupted at one locality in its length, and means controlled by saidgear for intermittently making communication between the interruptedportions of said conduit.

14. In an internal combustion engine having a cylinder head and arotatable cone type valve therein, a gear connected to the outer end ofthe valve, an oil conduit in said head for directing lubricating oil tothe tapered bearing surface of the valve, said conduit being normallyinterrupted at one locality in its length, and a sleeve fixed to saidgear and having a conduit'portion for intermittently makingcommunication between the lnterrupted portions of said conduit.

15. In an internal combustion engine having a cylinder head and arotatable cone type valve therein, a gear connected to the outer end ofthe valve, said gear having a sleeve portion embracing an extendedportion of the valve, a fixed bushing within which said sleeve portionrotates, an oil inlet conduit leading to a port in said bushing, and anoil passage leading to a second port in said bushing, said sleeveportion having a channel adapted to effect communication between saidports. I

16. In an internal combustion engine having a cylinder head and arotatable cone type valve therein, a gear connected to the outer end ofthe valve, an oilconduit in saidhead for directing lubricating oil tothe tapered'bearing surface of the valve, said conduit being normallyinterrupted at one locality in its length, and means controlled by saidgear for intermittently making communication between the interruptedportions in communication with both passages and a portion incommunication during a longer period of time with one of said passages.

11. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder having areciprocable piston therein, a rotatable valve associated with thecylinder and including therein a portion of the combustion space, afixed body within which said valve rotates and having a passage fordirecting oil to the bearing surface of said valve. an oil inlet pes ofsaid conduit, said valve having a combustion chamber and port in theside of the valve leading tioiiaid chamber and located opposite saidcon- 17. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder having areclprocable piston therein, a rotatable frusto-conical valve associatedwith the cylinder and including therein a portion of the combustionspace. a fixed body within which said valve rotates and having a passagefor directing oil at separatedpoints to the bearing surface of saidvalve, an oil inlet conduit, and rotatable means for makingcommunication between said conduit and passage, said valve having a portleading from the combustion space at that side of the valvesubstantially diametrically opposite said separated points. 1

18. In an internal combustion engine, a rotatable valve, a body withinwhich said valve rotates and having conduit means for directing oil tothe bearing surface of said valve, an oil inlet conduit, and rotatablemeans for making communication between said inlet conduit and conduitmeans.

19. In an internal combustion engine, a rotatable valve, a body withinwhich said valve rotates and having conduit means for directing oil tothe bearing surface of said valve, an oil inlet conduit, and rotatablemeans for making and breaking communication between said inlet conduitand conduit means.

20. In an internal combustion engine, a rotatable valve, a body withinwhich said valve rotates and having a conduit for directing oil to thebearing surface of said valve, and rotatable means for making andbreaking communication between said conduit and bearing surface.

21. In an internal combustion engine, a rotatable valve, a body withinwhich said valve rotates and having a-conduit for directing oil to thebearing surface of said valve, and driving means for the valve includingmeans for metering the oil flowing through said conduit to said bearingsurface.

22. In an internal combustion engine, a rotatable valve, a body withinwhich said'valve rotates and having a conduit for directing oil to thebearing surface of said valve, and rotatable means for metering the oilflowing through said conduit to said bearing surface.

WALTER F. ISLEY.

